Exercising device with lockable rotating foot pedals

ABSTRACT

A device for exercising the lower torso and legs including a rotatable platform and a pair of foot pedals rotatably mounted on the platform. Locking elements are provided to selectively and individually lock the platform or either pedal against rotation. Each pedal is mounted off center on a rotatable adjusting disc for varying the distance between the pedals.

United States Patent William F. Larson Carson, Wash. 98610 743,394

July 9, 1968 Oct. 12, 1971 lnventor Appl. No. Filed Patented EXERCISING DEVICE WITH LOCKABLE ROTATING FOOT PEDALS 12 Claims, 17 Drawing Figs.

[15. Cl 272/57 A Int. Cl A63b 23/04 Field of Search 272/33, 57

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1942 Mautin 272/57 3,441,271 4/1969 Palacios 272/57 FOREIGN PATENTS 832,295 12/1938 France 272/57 Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Richard Dror Attorney-Larson, Taylor & Hinds ABSTRACT: A device for exercising the lower torso and legs including a rotatable platform and a pair of foot pedals rotatably mounted on the platform. Locking elements are provided to selectively and individually lock the platform or either pedal against rotation. Each pedal is mounted off center on a rotatable adjusting disc for varying the distance between the pedals.

PATENTEDUCT 12 I9?\ 3.612.519

sum 1 0F 2 mvEN'roR WILLIAM F. LARSON ATTORNEYS EXERCISING DEVICEWITH LOCKABLE ROTATING FOOT PEDALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an exercising device, and in particular it relates to the type of device with which a person can exercise the lower torso and the leg muscles.

'2. Description of the Prior Art Exercising devices known heretofore for exercising the torso and leg muscles have generally been limited to a structure which provides rotational movement of one plate or disc relative to another in a manner not unlike a simple turntable. However, I have found that this type of turntable exercising device is of very limited value since, in the operation of the device, all of the twisting and muscle stretching takes place in the vicinity of the waist, and there is very little if any stretching of the leg muscles. These previous devices have been improved by the addition of frictional means between the top and bottom plates thereby requiring an increase in the amount of physical exertion applied by the person using the device. However, these improvements have not permitted an increase in the number of muscles exercised by using the device.

Thus, there exists a need for a more versatile torso and leg exerciser which will permit one to exercise the leg muscles as well as the muscles in the vicinity of the waist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is a purpose of this invention to provide a new, and improved and more versatile torso and leg exercising device.

According to the present invention there is provided a support member having a platform rotatably mounted thereon in a manner known heretofore. However, in addition, in the present invention a pair of foot pedals are mounted on the platform and separated therefrom by bearing means such that thefoot pedals are capable of rotational movement relative to the platform about axes generally parallel to the platform axis of rotation.

Other features of the present invention include means for selectively and individually locking either the .platform or either one of the foot pedals against rotation about its respective axis of rotation. A further feature of the invention includes means for varying the spacing between the foot pedals.

Thus, the structure of the present invention provides considerable versatilitynot possible with the conventional turntable type exerciser known heretofore. With the additional motion permitted by the foot pedals, one is no longer limited merely to the stretching of the waist muscles. For example, with both of the pedals free to rotate, the twisting action is shifted to the muscles of the lower leg and knee. With one pedal locked and the other pedal turning freely, a different leg action results and one can feel some difi'erent muscles being stretched. Further, the main platform may be restricted against rotation while permitting both foot pedals to rotate. This would provide a different type of twisting motion of the leg muscles. Finally, one can simply lock both foot pedals and leave the main platform free to rotate, thereby returning to the prior art structure for exercising the waist muscles. The result of the above-described movement is complete exercise or stretching of most of the muscles in the torso and legs. Other combinations are possible and the only true limitation appears to be the users ingenuity.

In addition, since all the exercise that one needs can be accomplished with this device, without the addition of friction to increase physical exertion, it can be seen that there will be little if any wear of the type which would be associated with such friction. Thus, the present invention has the added advantage of durability.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a new, improved and versatile device for exercising the torso and leg muscles.

It is another object of this invention to provide an exercising device having a rotatable platform and a pair of foot pedals mounted on and rotatable about axes relative to the platform.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an adjustable torso and leg exercising device.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a device of the type for exercising the torso and leg muscles, which includes a rotatable platform, a pair of foot pedals rotatably mounted on the platform, and means for individually and selectively locking either the platformfor either of the foot pedals thereby providing a versatile exercising device.

Other objects and the attendent advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow together with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS There follows a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention together with accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that this description is provided only for purposes of illustration and that the invention is I capable of numerous modifications and variations apparent to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exerciser device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3a through 3c illustrate the operation of the device with the pedals locked and the platform free to rotate.

FIGS. 4a through 4c illustrate the operation of the device with the platform locked and both pedals free to rotate.

FIGS. 5a through 5c illustrate the operation of the device with the platform and both pedals free to rotate.

FIGS. 6a through6c illustrate the operation of the device with the platform and left pedal free to rotate and the right pedal locked.

FIGS. 70 through 70 illustrate the operation of the device with the platform and right pedal free to rotate and the left pedal locked.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout, there is shown an exerciser device 10 including a main platform 11 rotatably mounted on support member 13 by virtue of a main roller bearing 12. The main platform 11 includes diametrically opposed recessed portions Hand 15, each having mounted thereon a foot pedal 16. Since the structure of the two foot pedals and their associated elements are identical to each other, only the foot pedal shown on the right in the figures will be described in detail.

The pedal 16 is mounted on a pedal bearing holder 18 for rotational movement thereabout by virtue of a roller bearing 17. The bearing holder 18 is in turn affixed to an adjusting disc 19 in such a manner that the axis of rotation of the pedal 16 is spaced from the axis of the disc 19.

With this construction it can be seen that rotational movement of the adjusting disc 19 will vary the distance between the axis of the associated pedal and the axis of rotation of the platform. Consequently, by turning the disc 19 of each pedal 16 one can select a convenient comfortable distance between the two foot pedals 16. The adjusting disc 19 is held in place on the recessed portion 14 of the platform 11 by virtue of an annular retaining ring 20 which overlies the edge of disc 19 which is secured to the bottom of recessed portion I4 by virtue of bolt 21.

To select the proper distance between the two pedals 16 one need only rotate the disc 19 to a suitable position, and the disc will be held in the selected position by the adjusting disc lock pin 30 which passes through a selected hole 31 in the disc 19, which hole 31 is placed between registering holes 32 and 33 in the element 20 and 14 respectively.

To maximize operational versatility, means are provided for selectively and individually locking either the main platform 1 l or either of the foot pedals 16.

For locking the platform 11 against rotation there is provided a pair of registering holes 26 and 27 in the platform and support member respectively, through which an elongated pin 25 may be inserted to prevent relative rotation between these elements.

Although a simple pin type locking means may also be provided between each foot pedal and its respective adjusting disc 19, in accordance with a feature of the present invention there is provided a unique pedal locking mechanism which may be operated by the foot of the user.

This pedal locking mechanism comprises a pedal lock lever 35 having an arm portion 36 mounted in the upper end of a pedal lock pin 37 for rotational movement about its axis. The upper portion of lever 35 rests on an arm 38 connected to and providing from the pedal 16.

When this pedal locking mechanism is operative to prevent rotation of the pedal, the pedal lock pin 37 is located in one of the pedal lock pin holes 39 in the adjusting disc 19 and the side of lever 35 engages the edge of pedal 16 thereby preventing rotational movement of the pedal. To release this pedal lock mechanism one need only press the lever 35 downwardly with his foot thereby causing the lever 35 to pivot about arm 38 so that the pin 37 rises upwardly out of its hole 39. With the pin 37 thus held upwardly by the engagement of the operators foot on the lever 35, the pedals may then be freely rotated about their axis.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention three adjusting holes 31 are indicated, thereby providing three possible positions for the disc 19. It will further be noted that three holes 39 are also provided, one hole 39 corresponding to each of the holes 31. Thus, in the position as illustrated the right hand hole 31 is engaged by the pin 30 and the left hand opening 39 is employed to lock the pedal as it faces the forward direction. If the disc 19 is now rotated 90 counterclockwise, the hole 31 now shown at the bottom of FIG. 1 will register with the opening 32 and 33 to be retained by the pin 30. However, to retain the forward orientation of the pedal 16, it will be necessary to engage the pin 37 in that opening 39 which will be located at the left hand side of the disc 19 after the 90 rotation. This of course would be the opening 39 which is indicated at the top of the disc 19 as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Of course in practice any number of openings 31 and associated openings 39 may be provided. Indeed, the openings 31 could be replaced by an infinitely variable clamp means rigidly clamping the disc 19 to the recessed portion 14.

FIGS. 3 through 7 illustrate the versatility of the present invention. In these diagrammatic drawings, the right and left pedals are indicated by the letters R and L respectively and the arrows on the pedals indicate the forward direction of the feet. Other arrows indicate the direction of turning of the platform except in FIG. 4 where the other arrows indicate the direction of turning of the foot pedals.

FIGS. 30 through 30 illustrate the operation of the exerciser device when the platform is free for rotation but both pedals are locked against rotation. This is a basic exercise which corresponds to that available with the conventional turntable exerciser.

FIG. 4 illustrates the movement possible when the platform is prevented from rotating but both pedals are permitted to rotate. By comparing FIGS. 4b and 4c it can be seen that the right and left legs may be twisted approximately 180, or more, depending upon the limits of flexibility of the joints of the user.

In FIGS. 5a through 50 both pedals and the platform are free to rotate. Here it is possible to swing the right leg behind the left, and visa versa, while maintaining the forward orientation of the feet.

In FIGS. 6a through 60 the platform and the left foot pedal are permitted to rotate while the right pedal is prevented from rotating. With this arrangement the left foot travels through 90 of motion while the right foot travels through 180 of motion.

And finally, FIGS. 70 through 7c illustrate the reverse of FIG. 6 wherein the lefl pedal is prevented from rotating while the platform and right pedal are permitted to rotate.

Thus, it is evident that the present invention, unlike previous turntable type exercisers permits virtually unlimited variation in the exercises which can be performed.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

1. An exercising device for exercising the lower torso and legs comprising: a support member adapted to engage a stationary surface to support the device; a platform mounted on the support member for rotational'movement relative to the support member in a generally horizontal plane; a pair of foot pedals mounted on the platform, each foot pedal being rotatable relative to the platform in a generally horizontal plane; and means associated with each pedal for either (a) permitting rotation of that pedal relative to said platform during operation of the device by a user or (b) locking that pedal against rotation of that pedal relative to said platform during operation of the device by a user, each said means associated with each pedal being operable independently of the means associated with the other pedal such that the user can operate the device with both, either one or none of the pedals locked against rotation relative to said platform, wherein the user is permitted to choose between exercising primarily his lower torso and upper leg muscles when both pedals are locked against relative rotation, exercising primarily his lower leg and knee muscles when neither pedal is locked against relative rotation, or exercising a different combination of all of these muscles when one or the other pedal is locked against relative rotation.

2. An exercising device according to claim 1, including a main bearing means between the member and the platform for providing said rotational movement of the platform about an axis substantially perpendicular to the said stationary surface on which the member is supported.

3. An exercising device according to claim 2 including a pedal bearing means between the platform and each foot pedal for providing said rotational movement of each pedal about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the platform.

4. An exercising device according to claim 1 including locking means for selectively preventing rotational movement of the platform relative to the support member.

5. An exercising device according to claim 4, said platform locking means comprising apertures in the platform and the support member spaced equidistantly from the axis of rotation of the platform, and a rigid pin engageable in both of said apertures.

6. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein the said means associated with each pedal includes a pin having an upper portion extending above the upper surface of the pedal and a lower portion engageable in a recess in the platform where the pin is operable to prevent rotational movement between its pedal and the platfonn, said means being pivotable about a pivot arm connected to its respective pedal such that downward movement of said upper portion raises the said lower portion out of said recess thereby permitting rotational movement of the pedal relative to the platform.

7. An exercising device according to claim 1, including means for varying the distance between said foot pedal axes of rotation.

8. An exercising device for exercising the lower torso and legs comprising; a support member adapted to engage a stationary surface to support the device; a platform mounted on the support member for rotational movement relative to the support member in a generally horizontal plane; a pair of foot pedals mounted on the platform, pedals bearing means rotatably supporting the pedals above the platform such that each pedal is rotatable about a generally vertical axis relative to the platform, each pedal bearing means mounted on the circular adjusting disc located on the platform such that the axis of rotation of that pedal is spaced apart from the axis of tuming of the disc, whereby rotation of said disc varies the distance of its respective pedal axis from the axis of the other pedal.

9. An exercising device according to claim 8 including a pedal locking means for selectively preventing rotational movement of each pedal relative to its adjusting platform.

10. An exercising device according to claim 9 including a pedal locking means for selectively preventing rotational movement of each pedal relative to its adjusting disc.

11. An exercising device according to claim 10 wherein said pedal locking means includes a pin having an upper portion extending above the upper surface of the foot pedal and a lower portion engageable in a recess in the adjusting disc to prevent rotation of the pedal relative to the disc, said pedal locking means being pivotable about a pivot arm connected to the pedal such that downward movement of the upper portion raises the lower portion out of the said recess to release the pedal.

12. An exercising device according to claim 11 including a plurality of said recesses in the adjusting disc such that for a plurality of rotative positions of the adjusting disc, the pedal may be locked against rotation in the same orientation relative to the platform. 

1. An exercising device for exercising the lower torso and legs comprising: a support member adapted to engage a stationary surface to support the device; a platform mounted on the support member for rotational movement relative to the support member in a generally horizontal plane; a pair of foot pedals mounted on the platform, each foot pedal being rotatable relative to the platform in a generally horizontal plane; and means associated with each pedal for either (a) permitting rotation of that pedal relative to said platform during operation of the device by a user or (b) locking that pedal against rotation of that pedal relative to said platform during operation of the device by a user, each said means associated with each pedal being operable independently of the means associated with the other pedal such that the user can operate the device with both, either one or none of the pedals locked against rotation relative to said platform, wherein the user is permitted to choose between exercising primarily his lower torso and upper leg muscles when both pedals are locked against relative rotation, exercising primarily his lower leg and knee muscles when neither pedal is locked against relative rotation, or exercising a different combination of all of these muscles when one or the other pedal is locked against relative rotation.
 2. An exercising device according to claim 1, including a main bearing means between the member and the platform for providing said rotational movement of the platform about an axis substantially perpendicular to the said stationary surface on which the member is supported.
 3. An exercising device according to claim 2 including a pedal bearing means between the platform and each foot pedal for providing said rotational movement of each pedal about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the platform.
 4. An exercising device according to claim 1 including locking means for selectively preventing rotational movement of the platform relative to the support member.
 5. An exercising device according to claim 4, said platform locking means comprising apertures in the platform and the support member spaced equidistantly from the axis of rotation of the platform, and a rigid pin engageable in both of said apertures.
 6. An exercising device according to claim 1 wherein the said means associated with each pedal includes a pin having an upper portion extending above the upper surface of the pedal And a lower portion engageable in a recess in the platform where the pin is operable to prevent rotational movement between its pedal and the platform, said means being pivotable about a pivot arm connected to its respective pedal such that downward movement of said upper portion raises the said lower portion out of said recess thereby permitting rotational movement of the pedal relative to the platform.
 7. An exercising device according to claim 1, including means for varying the distance between said foot pedal axes of rotation.
 8. An exercising device for exercising the lower torso and legs comprising; a support member adapted to engage a stationary surface to support the device; a platform mounted on the support member for rotational movement relative to the support member in a generally horizontal plane; a pair of foot pedals mounted on the platform, pedals bearing means rotatably supporting the pedals above the platform such that each pedal is rotatable about a generally vertical axis relative to the platform, each pedal bearing means mounted on the circular adjusting disc located on the platform such that the axis of rotation of that pedal is spaced apart from the axis of turning of the disc, whereby rotation of said disc varies the distance of its respective pedal axis from the axis of the other pedal.
 9. An exercising device according to claim 8 including a pedal locking means for selectively preventing rotational movement of each pedal relative to its adjusting platform.
 10. An exercising device according to claim 9 including a pedal locking means for selectively preventing rotational movement of each pedal relative to its adjusting disc.
 11. An exercising device according to claim 10 wherein said pedal locking means includes a pin having an upper portion extending above the upper surface of the foot pedal and a lower portion engageable in a recess in the adjusting disc to prevent rotation of the pedal relative to the disc, said pedal locking means being pivotable about a pivot arm connected to the pedal such that downward movement of the upper portion raises the lower portion out of the said recess to release the pedal.
 12. An exercising device according to claim 11 including a plurality of said recesses in the adjusting disc such that for a plurality of rotative positions of the adjusting disc, the pedal may be locked against rotation in the same orientation relative to the platform. 